Gauging machine



May 1.0, 1927. J. G. AYE'RS ET AL GAUGING MACHINE Filed April '7. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet. 1

w s a w W? W w 0 GN \M mm a a 2E. wx J w 1,62 ',68 May J. G. AYERS ET AL v 7 3 GAUGING MACHINE Filed April '7. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a name 54 5s Joseph G. Ayers Tfl'a'x EBerlowitz F 4 I W Mlliam H.Cha man 7-, I CHM one 'May 10,1927. 7, 83

J. G. AYERS ET AL eaueme MACHINE Filed April 7. 1324 3 sheets-sheets Joseph G.Ayer-s maxEberlowitz William H. Chapman W comprises cylindrical rollers sleeved Patented May 10,1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH G. AYERS AND WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN, OF MONTCLAIR, AND MAX E. BEBLO- WITZ, OF BELLEVILLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO GENERAL MOTORS CORPORA- TION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

. GAUGING Application filed April 7, 1924. Serial No. 704,892.

This invention relates to gauging machines and is herein shown as embodied 1n a machine for gauging the lengths of cylindrical rollers. I One well known form of roller bearing on tie bars connecting the sides of a cage. These rollers must conform to certain tolerances as to length but hitherto gauging has been slow, necessitating the separate handling and gauging of each roller by a snap gauge or the like. One of the objects of this 1nvention is to provide a machine for rapidly gauging cylindrical rollers or like articles. Another object is to provide .a machine for automatically gauging such articles and for segregating those that conform to acceptable limits. Another object is to provide an accurate and. efficient gauging machine WhlCh will eliminate the human element or personal equation.

T these ends and also to improve general- -ly upon devices of the character indicated our invention consists in the various matters hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertlcal section, partly broken away, of the gauging machine.-

Figure 2 is a plan view of the face plate or inclined support with some of the, parts omitted and some in a different posltion from that shown in Figure 1.

. Figure Sis an end view of the face plate. Figure 4 is a front elevation of the machine with the face plate removed.

Figure 5 is a detail view of one ofthe gauge blocks. I Y

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical'section on Figure 4 showing some of the parts in side elevation. Figure 8 is a plan view of the frame with the face plate and other parts removed.

The numeral 10 designates the frame, the upper edges'of which are inclined to recelve an inclined face-plate or article support 12 positioned on the frame ,by dowel pins 14 andfastened by screws 16. Cut through the face plate are aseries of gauge slots 18, each slot having four sides and having one .dimension, herein the width, larger than the width or diameter of the articles to be tested. fine side of each slot has a vertical positioning surface and the opposite side 22 has an interrupted surface parallel to the surface 20. The top face of the plate 12 forms a runway down which the articles roll and this face merges with an incline 24 leading to 'the slot. The face late is also cut out at intervals as at 26 to a mit swinging'articles aligning or pressing means to be later described. Longitudinal guide bars 28 extend over the face plate and are secured by screws to slotted plates 30 adjustably fastened to the sides of the face plate by screws 32. The bars 28 are spaced apart a distance a little greater than the lengths of the rollers R or other articles to engage the ends of the same and guide them to the gauge slots.

The shorter sides of the slots are formed by auge blocks 34 having inclined faces 36 lea mg to the vertical gauging faces 38. Each block has projections or tongues 40 received in ways out in the under side of the face plate and the tongues are slidably held by plates 42 having portions overhanging the tongues. The distance apart of the gauge faces 38 variesat the different slots, the first set of gauging faces being spaced a shorter distance apart than the succeeding set.

screws 44 threaded in the sides of the face of the gauge blocks. The articles that are.

shorter than the acce table size are eliminated at the first gauging slot and the others pass to the succeeding slot for a further test; If they are of acceptable size, they drop through this slot but, if too long, they are rejectedas willhereinafter a pear.

, If articles are inerely allowed to'roll down an inclineto a gauging slot, they will not properly gauge themselves particularly if they are rollers formed of helically wound steel. Accordingly means is provided for aligning them with the slots and pressing them uniformly against the gauging surfaces. This is accomplished by swinging arms 50, the hubs 52 of'which are secured to blocks to the gauging surfaces 38. Eacharm 50 has at its end an arcuate bar 58 forming an interrupter or obstructor so that when the arms 50 are depressed against one following mechanism. Journalled near the is stopped by is held in this position until the blade has upper end ceeding slot.

bottom of the frame is a crank, shaft 66 joined by a connecting rod 68 to a wrist pin 70 on a slide or cross head 72. A plate 74 at one end of the cross head is fastened to a slide plate 76, the inner face of which bears against a guide plate 78 having tongues 80 entering slots in the frame and fastened by pins 82 driven into the slots. A second slide plate 84 is fastened by screws 86 to the cross head and bears against a guide plate .88 having tongues 90 entering slots in the frame and fastened by pins 92. Also actuated by the cross head, is a cam carrier 94 having its ends received in slots 96 in the frame. "To the upper end cured a blade-or lifter 64 which reciprocates through one of the gauging slots and has its rounded as at 98 to form a cam face which,'if thearticle is not eliminated in the, gauging operation, liftsit from the slot and directsit downwardly to the suc- The blades 64 also lift the swinging arms against the tension of the springs 62 and their forward faces act as stops for the articles as they roll down the inclined support. When one of the articles the front face of a blade-64, it

been lowered out of the slot and, simultaneously, the arms .50 are lowered topress the article" into the slot. Thereafter the. areuate bar 58 obstructs the followlng article.-

When an article has been lifted from one of the -.,slots and directed down the incline, it engages a straightening member 100 consisting of a bent plate attachedto'the hub 52 by a screw 102, a coil spring 104 between the head of the screw and the member 100 allowing the latter to yield if an artiele gets under it. The straightening member 100 keeps the articles squarely across the runway and insures their proper delivery'parallel to the following gauge too small, it is eliminated .at the first slot and drops down into a chute 106 which conveys it to a 'receptacle at one side of the machine.

of each slide 76 and 84 is seslot. If an article is If the article is of acceptable size,

it continues on to the second slot and passes through the same and .is conveyed .to the other side of the machine through a chute 108. If the article is too long, it continues I necessary number of slots and article moving means.

The mechanism for delivering the article's i one by one and rolling them down the inclined support will now be described. The rollers R, or other articles, slide in end to end relation down an inclined feed tube 114 to a delivery recess 1164 They are intermittently released to slide into the recess by a detent 118 the end of which enters a hole in the feed tube to engage the side of one of the articles to clamp it against the interior of the tube. The detent is adjustably fixed to an arm 120 pivoted to a fixed pin 122 on the front of the machine and a screw 124 is threaded in the arm and connected to ing with a cam 130 fastened to the upper.

end of the reciprocating cam carrier 94 above mentioned. When the detent 118 re-- leases the stream of articles and allows one of them to slide into the delivery recess 116,

the article is next carried part way downthe runway by a feed memberor carrier 132 having a curved article recelvin'g portion or .hook 134 movable into and out of alignment with the feed tube. The member 132 is carried by an arm 136 the lower end of which 1s pivoted to the pin 122. A second arm 138 is pivoted to the pin 122 and is normally pressed against the arm 136 by a coil spring 142.. A screw 140 is secured to arm 136 and passes through an opening in arm 138 and the spring 142 abuts at one end against the head of the screw and at the other end against a washer 144 bearing against the arm 138.

The arm 138 and the arm 136 are collectively' moved in one direction by springs 148 fastenedto the frame and to the ends of a long ba1-146 fastened to the arm 138. The arm 138 and the arm 136 can be collectively moved in the op cams 130 and 152 are lowered, the detent 118 looks the stream of articles in the tube and simultaneously therewith, or immediately thereafter, the feed member. or carrier 132 osite directiongor the arm 138' can beindividually mo vedfby means of a roller 150 journalled in lugs projecting from the arm 138 and actuated by a cam 152" on the cam carrying member 94. When the carries the endmost article R from the recess 116 part-way down the incline and then the hook portion 134 rides far enough from the top of the faceplate to release the .arti- .cle. When the cams rise, the feed member When the endmost article in the stream slides into the recess 116 it abuts-against the end of a locating plug 156 fastened in a sleeve 154. A collar 158 is adjustably fastened by a set screw 160 to the plug and abuts against a collar 162 on the sleeve154. The plug can be fastened by means of a v hand screw 164 in such a position that the end face of the plug is in alignment with the inner face of one of the uide bars 28. The guide bars 28. are pre erably bevelled at their ends to guide the articles .to the guiding surfaces. i

In operation, as the articles roll one by one down the inclined support, they are successively stopped by the blade or lifter 64 As the blade 64 is lowered through the slot,

the articles is let into the slot and pressedagainst the gauging surfaces by the arms 50. The following article is meanwhile obstructed by the arcuate member 58. If the gauged article is not. eliminated through the slot, it is lifted by the bladeand directed down the incline to the next slot. .The

straightening member 100 holds the article temporarily and insures its delivery parallel to the next slot where the gauging operation is repeated. Any desired number of gauging operations may be effected by supplying the necessary number of slots and article operating means and the articles of any given size can be segregated by leading them down a suitable chute to a receptacle.

Although the invention has been described by reference to a specific apparatus, it should be understood that, in its-broader aspects, it is not limited to the structure selected for illustrative purposes.

We claim:

1. In'a gauging machine, a support having a series of slots, with opposite gauging surfaces successively further spaced from eaclrother at'the succeeding slots, and means for pressing an article against the gauging surfaces; substantially as described.

2. In a gauging machine, a support having a series of slots with opposite gauging surfaces successively further spaced from each other at the succeeding slots, means for pressing an article against the gauging sins faces at the first slot, and means for moving the article from the gauging surfaces and directing it to 'the next slot; substantially as described. Y

4 In a gauging machine, a support having a series of slots withropposite gauging surfaces which are further apart at the succeeding slots, an arm, and-means for'swinging the arm against an article to press it into contact with said gauging surfaces substantially-as described. i

4. In a gauging machine, a support having a series of slots with opposite. gauging surfaces which are further apart at the succeeding slots, an arm, means for swinging the arm against an article in contact'with said gauging surfaces; and means for moving said article from said gauging surfaces and directing it .to the succeeding gauging surfaces; substantially as-described.

5. In a gauging-machine, a support having a series of slots with opposite gauging surfaces which are .further apart at the succeeding slots, an arm, means for swinging the arm against an article in contact with said gauging surfaces, and a member movable against said arm to lift the same and having a cam to'direct-the article-to thesucceeding slot; substantially as described.

6. In a gauging machine, a support having a series of slots with opposite. gauging surfaces, the. gauging. surfaces being further spaced from each other at the succeeding slots, an arm, means for pressing the arm against an article at one of the slots, a reciprocating member for lifting said arm, said member having a cam to direct the article to the succeeding'slot; substantially as described.

7 In a gauging machine, a support having a series of slots with opposite gauging surfaces, the gauging surfaces being further spaced from each other at the succeeding slots, an arm having one portion to press against an article at one of the slots and another portion to obstruct the next article, and means for lifting thearm to allow the next article to pass; substantially as described. a

' 8. In a gauging machine, a support having a series of slots with opposite gauging surfaces the gauging surfaces being further spaced from each other at the succeeding slots, an arm having one portion to press against an article atone of the slots and another portion to obstruct the next article, and a member reciprocable through the slot to lift the arm; substantially as described.

9. In agauging machine, a support having a series of slots with opposite gauging surfaces, the gauging surfaces being further spaced from each other at the succeeding slots, an arm having one portion to press 13 other portion ticle, and

against an article at one of the slots rlIldJi-Ib.

to obstruct the following ara member movable with the arm for subsequently straightening the first article for a further gauging operation; subspaced from stantially as described.

11. In a gauging machine, a support having a" series of slots with oppositegauging surfaces, thegauging surfaces being further each other at the succeeding slots, an arm havingone portion to press against an article at one of-the slots and another portion to obstruct the following article, a reciprocating member for lifting the arm to release said following article, and a member movable with the arm for straightening the first article for a further gauging operation; substantially as described.

12. In a gauging machine, a support havin a slot one dimension of whichis larger than the articles to be gauged, gauge blocks having opposite gauging surfaces atthe sides of the slot, and means for pressing the articles successively agamst the gauging surfaces; substantially as described.

13. In a gau ing machine, a support having a slot one imension of which is larger than the articles to be gauged, gauge blocks having opposite gauging surfaces at the sides of the slot, means for varying the distance between the gaugingsurfaces, and

' ticle away from said gauging sur means for pressing the articles successively against the gauging surfaces; substantially as described. Y 14. In a gauging machine, a su porthaving a slot one dimension of whic is larger than the articles to be gauged, gauge blocks having opposite gauging surfaces at the sides of the slot, means for pressing the articles successively against and means for moving an unacce table araces; substantially as described.

15.. Ina gauging machine, ing a slot one dimension of which is larger than the articles to be gauged, gauge blocks having opposite gauging surfaces at the sides 'of the slot, means for pressing the articles successively against the gauging surfaces, and a reciprocating cam an .unacceptable articl from said gauging surfaces; substantially as described.

16. In a gauging machine, an inclined support having a slot-with opposite gauging moving the slide,

' roll-ing articles-one by one the gauging surfaces,

a' support havp member for moving 17. In a gauging machine an inclined'supporthaving a slot with opposite gauging surfaces, means for feeding articles one by one down said support, guide bars for the ends of said articles, and means for successively aligning the articles with said gau mg surfaces; substantially as described.

.18. In a gauging machine, an inclined support having a slot with opposite gauging surfaces, means for feeding .articles one by one down said support, an arm for successively aligning said articles with the slot, and means for swinging said arm; substantially as described. J 19. In a gauging machine, an inclined support having a slot with opposite gauging surfaces,means for feeding articles one by one down said support, sively aligning said articles with the slot, 8. spring for pressing the arm against the articles, and means for raising the arm"; substantially asdescribed.

20. In a gauging machine, an inclined support having a slot with opposite gauging sur cline to the slot; substantially as described.

21. In a. gauging machine, an inclined support having a slot with opposite gauging surfaces, an arm for successively aligning articles with the slot, a slide, means for and means actuated by the slide for swinging the arm and rolling the articles down said incline to the slot; substantially as described.

22. In a gauging machine, an inclined support having a slot with opposite gauging surfaces, an arm for successively aligning articles with the slot, a slide, means for moving the slide, a blade attached to the slide and engaging the arm to swing the latter, and means actuated by the slide for down the incline to the slot; substantially as described.

23. In a gauging machine, support having gauging means, a tube through whicharticles are fed, a member having an article receiving and restraining ortion movable'into and out of alignment with said tube, and means for oscillating said member to roll the articles one by one down the inclined means; substantially as described.

24. In a gauging machine, an inclined support having gauging means, a tube through which articles are fed, a member movable into and out of alignment with said tube, means for intermittently locking articles in and releasing them from said tube,

an inclined support to the gaugingv and means for oscillating said member to deliver articles successively from the tube to the inclined support; substantially as described.

25. In a gauginggmachine, an inclined support having gauging means, a tube through which articles are fed, a carrier having an article receiving portion movable into and out of alignment with saidtube to -receive an article fed from said tube, means for successively moving articles into said receiving portion, and means forswinging said carrier to release the articles to said inclined support; substantially as described.

26. In a gauging machine, an inclined support having gauging means, a tube through which articles are fed, acarrier having an article receiving portion movable into and out of alignment with said tube to receive an article fed from said tube, a detent for intermittently admitting articles to an article fed from said tube, a detent for,

intermittently admitting articles to said hook member, means for swinging the car'- rier to roll the articles successively down the inclined support, and a yielding connection between said means and said arm; substan tially as described.

28. In a' gauging machine, an inclined support 'ha'vinggauging 'means, a tube throughwhich articles are fed in a stream, a detent projecting into said tube to hold the endmost article, means for moving said detent to release an article, a member s aced from the end of the tube to locatesai article, and means for delivering said article down the inclined support to the gauging means; substantially as described. I

29. In a, gauging machine, an inclined support having auging means, a tube through which artlcles are. fed in a stream, a detent projecting into said tube .to hold the endmost article, means for moving said detent to release an article, a member spaced from theend of the tube to locate said article,'means for delivering said article down the inclined support to the gauging means, and a guide for the endof the article in alignment with said locating member; substantially as described. I

30. In a gauging machine, a support having auging means, a tube through which artic es are fed in a stream, an arm having a detent for holding the endmost article, an arm having article moving means, and a reciprocating member having cams for operating the arms in time relation to intermittently deliver the articles from the tube to the gauging means; substantially as described.

31. In a gauging machine, a plate having a series of slmilar slots of different sizes, means for causing an article to pass over the plate to the different slots, and means ,for pressing the article against the sides of the slots; substantially as described.

32. In a. gauging machine, an inclined support having a slot with opposite gauging surfaces, an arm having one portion to press an article against the gauging surfaces and another portion to obstruct a following article, and means for lifting the arm to admitthe following article to the gauging surfaces; substantially as described.

33. In a gaugin machine, an inclined support having a s ot with opposite gauging surfaces, means for pressing an article against the gaugingsurfaces, and means movable through the slot to actuate the pressing means; substantially as described. 34. Ina gauging machine, an inclined support having a slot with opposite gang.- ing surfaces, means for pressing an article against the gauging surfaces, and a blade reciprocating through the slot to actuate the pressing means, said blade also having means to temporarily obstruct a following article; substantially as described.

35. In a gauging machine, an inclined support having a slot with opposite gauging surfaces, an arm having one portion to press an article against the gauging surfaces and another portion to obstruct a following article, and means for swinging the-arm and temporarily obstructing the following article' substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we hereunto aflix our signatures.

JOSEPH e. AYERS. WM. H. CHAPMAN. MAX E. BERLOWITZ. 

